Throughout history, humanity has always found its calling, its reasons and its purpose in the form of a God, a singular high power or a plural collection of them . As a result, an author's systematic religious beliefs will often influence both the message of his story and the differentiating morals of his characters. Victor Hugo believes himself to be a God-fearing man in Les Misérables, implying this specifically through Valjean and Javert's beliefs about God at the beginning of the story, their understanding and interpretation of what would be morally accepted according to God's laws during, and their "return" to God towards the end. Being parallel opposites in how they begin to be represented, the prisoner and his jailer both represent a common "beginning" when introduced to God: Valjean has no reason to believe in God despite his less-than-exceptional circumstances, and Javert has every reason to believe in God as a man who enforces both God's law and jurisprudence. Regardless, Valjean is saved by the bishop, who largely acts as God's prophet, in a sense, signifying the influence of the Church and, behind that, God: "But remember this, my brother [...] I bought your soul for God” (“Valjean arrested/Valjean pardoned” 17-24). After his release from prison, Valjean is convinced that the world is against him: the bishop convinces him otherwise every man God has a plan for him, and likewise he has a purpose for each of them No matter what crimes he has committed or how far he has fallen from grace: a man can always be redeemed through the way he chooses to act and change. for God. Even so, although readers may not be aware of Javert's exact religious zeal until the later part of the story, Ja...... middle of paper ......d by Claude-Michel Schonberg . Trans. Herbert Kretzmer. 09 February 2012. Web.---. Musicorld – Libretto Les Misérables. Composed by Claude-Michel Schonberg.Trans. Herbert Kretzmer. 1985. 09 February 2012. Web.---. “Who am I? (The trial).” Musicorld – Libretto Les Misérables. Composed by Claude-MichelSchonberg. Trans. Herbert Kretzmer. 1985. 09 February 2012. Web.---. "Stars." Musicorld – Libretto Les Misérables. Composed by Claude-Michel Schonberg.Trans. Herbert Kretzmer. 1985. 09 February 2012. Web.---. "Epilogue." Musicorld – Libretto Les Misérables. Composed by Claude-Michel Schonberg.Trans. Herbert Kretzmer. 1985. 09 February 2012. Web.---. "Javert's Suicide." Musicorld – Libretto Les Misérables. Composed by Claude-MichelSchonberg. Trans. Herbert Kretzmer. 1985. February 9, 2012. Web.